How did you know you had PCOS ?

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Debbiedebbiey
Debbiedebbiey Posts: 824 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I've been reading about it. Going to the dr next week, did you have a blood test ? Or diagnose by just mentioning your symptoms ?
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  • miranda_mom
    miranda_mom Posts: 873 Member
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    I had a blood test and an internal ultrasound.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
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    webmd
  • Mfountas
    Mfountas Posts: 3
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    Hey! I have had PCOS for probably my entire life. Although I was just diagnosed 3-4 years ago. You can be diagnosed with your symptoms, however most doctors like to confirm the diagnos's with an ultrasound of your ovaries (if you have PCOS, they will appear to have whats called "a string of black pearls"...these are the cysts). Also blood work can be done (and should be in my opinion) to see where your lab values are at and if you are in need of any medication to help level your values out. So, if they try and label with just physical symptoms I would advocate for myself and request an ultrasound as well as blood work. :happy: I ended up having to go through IVF to conceive my first daughter due to PCOS, good luck!
  • losethechalupa
    losethechalupa Posts: 51 Member
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    I was ttc and went to an endocronologist. one look at me and she knew I had it. Belly fat and darkening of the neck which I attributed to an allergic reaction to metal and sterling silver. She did a fasting blood test to confirm what she thought.

    I dont have any other typical symptons of pcos. No thinning or hairgrowth where it shouldnt be, no missed or inconsistant periods. my main issue is not being able to lose weight and the darkening on the back of my neck.

    Goodluck at the doctor.
  • _TastySnoBalls_
    _TastySnoBalls_ Posts: 1,298 Member
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    diagnosed at ob/gyn at the age of 20...based off of symptoms (irregular periods), and ultrasound (lots of cysts on ovaries). Other than that, I have no symptoms like many other women who struggle with it and trying to lose weight (insulin resistance and thyroid issues). Trying to get into an endo so I can get thorough blood work done, especially hormone levels checked.
  • crazyellybean
    crazyellybean Posts: 999 Member
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    (if you have PCOS, they will appear to have whats called "a string of black pearls"...these are the cysts).

    Not all women with PCOS have cysts, you could have a multiple of symptoms, but not have cysts. Your doctor will run a SERIES of blood test as well as ultrasound, but not one factor can determine if you have PCOS or not.

    The important thing is if you think you have PCOS, go to your doctor and ask them to run tests. Symptoms, can include but are not limited to:

    Trouble Losing Weight
    Excess Hair
    Irregular Menstrual Cycles
    Constant Pelvic Pain
    Low Energy (which could also relate to Hyperthyroidism)
    Depression
    Hair Loss (or really thing hair)
    Dark Skin Tags
    Infertility (or multiple miscarriages)


    and the list goes on.
  • Angie__1MR
    Angie__1MR Posts: 388 Member
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    I couldn't get pregnant, and when I did finally get pregnant, I miscarried. I was diagnosed by a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist) by blood tests and ultrasound.
  • HMToomey
    HMToomey Posts: 276
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    Blood test. They told me I was going for an ultrasound, never mentioned anything about internal... I got there and was like "You're putting what WHERE!? NO!" So they did an external one. LOL I got put on Yaz for it and that messed with my kidneys and gallbladder and now I have hypokalimia from that drug and I took myself off all meds and just got it under control about 6 months ago with no drugs!
  • thechubner
    thechubner Posts: 94 Member
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    I was diagnosed by my obgyn based on the preponderance of evidence (symptoms) - including blood tests (showing low sugar but elevated insulin). The only way to be 100% sure is to do an internal ultrasound and actually see if you have cysts on your ovaries. PCOS is tough to live with - but the symptoms and fertility issues can be overcome with diligent care of your health and monitoring (and possibly getting a few meds) by your physician.
  • sophie_wr
    sophie_wr Posts: 194 Member
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    very irregular periods... fat & more precisely belly fat.... weird hair pattern....
    And I had ultrasounds done that confirmed all that mess.

    But I've lost 23 pounds since the beginning of the year so there is hope for us !!
  • OnWisconsin84
    OnWisconsin84 Posts: 409 Member
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    I was trying to conceive with my ex-husband. I'd been on the pill since 15, so had no idea my cycles were so irregular & that I did not ovulate on my own. Had blood tests, tons of ultrasounds, and a few other tests done at the hospital ($$$) to confirm all of this. Had I not been trying to have a baby (never did conceive, and ended up divorcing him for other reasons :drinker: ) I probably never would've known I had PCOS because being on the pill masked the symptoms.
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
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    I had a cyst rupture when I was 19; the ultrasound was suspicious and my NP referred me to a gyne, who said they didn't need to run a lot of tests to confirm - I was pretty classic.

    I did eventually conceive with fertility treatment at age 25, but a second round 2 years later failed even once escalated to more aggressive treatment.
  • Mfountas
    Mfountas Posts: 3
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    I didnt mean for it to sound like all women with PCOS have the cysts. I rather meant that if you have the cysts, you have PCOS. Sorry for the confusion.
  • miranda_mom
    miranda_mom Posts: 873 Member
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    Blood test. They told me I was going for an ultrasound, never mentioned anything about internal... I got there and was like "You're putting what WHERE!? NO!" So they did an external one. LOL I got put on Yaz for it and that messed with my kidneys and gallbladder and now I have hypokalimia from that drug and I took myself off all meds and just got it under control about 6 months ago with no drugs!

    haha - love it! I too was surprised by the fact that it was an internal. That is a very odd situation, right there. Did not enjoy any of the three I've had.
  • january179
    january179 Posts: 23 Member
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    I had a blood test
  • cloe31
    cloe31 Posts: 75 Member
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    After I had hair growing every where. I decided that it was normal. Looked my symptoms online and discovered PCOS. Went to my family doctor and he recommended I do an ultrasound of my ovaries and also to go see a dermatologist. The dermatologist told me I probably have PCOS and the ultrasound confirmed it. After that I was referred to a endocrinologist she prescribed me metformin and spyronolactone after my testosterone came up as a little high. After not getting results from the pills I decided to go see a naturopath that specializes in hormones. She was great!
  • bailuna
    bailuna Posts: 56
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    A blood test and pelvic ultrasound.
  • youcandooeet
    youcandooeet Posts: 104 Member
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    It's not something you can self-diagnose. The symptoms could be a result of other problems. Go to a physician.
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,573 Member
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    Doctor did a blood test and internal ultrasound.

    I knew something was wrong for years but my doctor never did much about it but tell me to keep on birth control. I changed doctors and was able to find out based on my symptoms and confirmed with the tests. I have been off birth control since January and almost regular (though still seriously heavy) since March.
  • HMToomey
    HMToomey Posts: 276
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    Doctor did a blood test and internal ultrasound.

    I knew something was wrong for years but my doctor never did much about it but tell me to keep on birth control. I changed doctors and was able to find out based on my symptoms and confirmed with the tests. I have been off birth control since January and almost regular (though still seriously heavy) since March.

    It gets better, promise!

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